SÃO PAULO INDY 300 - Preview

The Lotus IndyCar teams are on their way to Brazil this week for the fourth round of the IZOD Indy Car Series Championship, this time on the streets of Sao Paulo.

The Sao Paulo Indy 300 circuit is one of only two in IndyCar in which the pit lane is NOT located on the start-finish straight. It’s positioned after Turn 4. The drivers love it and so do the fans, for the churrascarias and samba beats as much as the exciting wheel-to-wheel stuff.

In it for the long-haul:

Last Friday, the teams loaded their cars and equipment in preparation for the race at Indianapolis’ international airport. More than 400,000 pounds of equipment were swallowed up by two Cargo Air 747-400s for the 5,000-mile trip to Brazil’s capital of motorsport, São Paulo.

Homecoming queen:

Aside from the other three full-time Brazilian drivers in the IndyCar Series (Helio Castroneves, Rubens Barrichello, Tony Kanaan), car # 25 (Andretti Autosport) will be added and driven by Brazilian racer Ana Beatriz in her "home" race, as a promoter's selection.

What the Lotus drivers had to say:

Sebastien Bourdais(#7 – Lotus Dragon Racing):

“The track itself is bumpy and uneven despite it being re-paved twice, but it offers a great challenge. It’s mostly asphalt, which makes it easy to lock-up. It’s tough to find good balance in those conditions. However, there are some good passing opportunities, and a very long straightaway.”

Katherine Legge(#6 – Lotus Dragon Racing):

“I am looking forward to Brazil. I have never been to South America, and I am excited about it. The track looks fantastic. I’ve watched in-car videos on YouTube. I’ve played it on my home simulator and watched the race from last year on video, and that’s how I learned it. I can’t wait to actually drive it, though! The weather forecast doesn’t look so great. Looks like it might rain on Saturday and Sunday. I actually think that it will be good for us, because the rain might even things out a bit. I like the variety that street courses bring to the season.”

Simona di Silvestra(#78 – Lotus HVM Racing):

“I really enjoy the track. I think it suits my driving style a lot and since it’s supposed to rain that should be good for us too. The team has been working really hard and I think we have a chance for a good result. It should be fun.”

Oriol Servia(#22 – Lotus DRR):

“Last year was my first time at Brazil and it was a crazy race in the rain. We managed to finish fifth. I think that it’s one of the best street tracks that we have, with a long straight and a different types of corner. I’m very happy with the progress that we made with the car in Long Beach and I’m sure we can keep improving in Sao Paulo. Brazilian fans are probably the most passionate in the world and it’s great that we can go and put a race on for them.”